I saw this quote recently and it completely describes my life. I have a brother who has been battling asthma his whole life, but for the last 3 years it has become so chronic that he has been admitted countless times to Intensive Care Unit for several weeks at a time. The last one, the hardest one to accept, the most tragic experience of all was probably the most difficult four weeks of my life.

It occurred while we were overseas, and unfortunately he was in hospital for 4 weeks. The lows, cries, moments and thoughts were all so hard to accept. We endured the most hardest things, especially being in a different country made it the hardest. Although the doctors and nurses were so lovely, some were not. I guess we needed the hard reality but also needed to be positive, we were certain that our brother, our son will make out of this alive even though at times it was rather challenging.

We were told that his heart was working over time compensating for his deficient lungs. His heart was momentarily stopped. We were told to be prepared that we may lose him, that his situation was critical and to notify all family members. Everyday I prayed that I would do anything to trade places with him, that I would donate my lungs just so he wouldn’t have his last breath which got me thinking about the function of our lungs.

Breathing, such a simple task we take for granted. Something that we are unconsciously completing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For some though, it is the biggest challenge. Here’s to all those individuals who battle with asthma, COPD, emphysema and other lung diseases. You deserve the utmost respect, what we take for granted you challenge everyday.

So I urge you, take a moment and just inhale the good shit and exhale the bad shit. Life is short appreciate your lungs.

Yesterday I went to the Turkish vs Iceland match in Konya, Turkey. It has always been my dream to witness Turkey play and win a game in Turkey and to finally tick this off the bucket list was something truly special that words or metaphors can not explain . . . Hats off to Selcuk Inan, he truly bended it like Beckham with a turkish flair.

Although one thing I didn’t enjoy was the whistling, chanting associated with the recent attacks that occurred in Ankara, my home town and the place where my family and relatives reside.

It’s so unfortunate that 106 people passed away in hopes for a peaceful tomorrow. We don’t know why, or who it was (just yet) but irregardless innocent people have died. Instead of getting respect during the 1 minute silence that they and they’re families duly require, they instead received whistles, cheers and chants. I can’t keep my mouth shut about this … I know its about football but going to a national team is about togetherness and leaving your differences at the door. There shouldn’t be you’re Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas, Sunni, Shia, Alevi, Turkish or Kurdish … It should be purely about the country that you’re following. For the first time in my life I was ashamed, ashamed at how stupid and ignorant we’ve all become. I don’t care what the reasons are, innocent people dying isn’t something that should be disrespected.

☾✩ the moment Turkey scored against Iceland, qualifying them into Euro 2016.